Suspected bandits have killed five park rangers in a late-night attack on Oloka village in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when armed men, reportedly riding motorcycles, stormed the community around 10 p.m. The assailants opened fire on the park rangers, who were personnel of the National Park Service stationed in the area.
The Baale of Oloka, Chief Joel Olatunde Alagbe, confirmed the attack, explaining that the rangers were seated outside their office and having dinner when the gunmen struck.
“Oloka shares a boundary with a national park, so the park rangers have an office in our town. They were eating in front of their office around 10 p.m. when the attackers suddenly opened fire on them,” he said.
Chief Alagbe added that one of the victims’ bodies was reportedly burned, raising suspicions that explosive devices may have been used during the assault.
After the attack, the gunmen fled into the nearby forest. The traditional ruler said he immediately alerted the police, who responded to the incident. A source at the Owode Ogbomoso Divisional Police Headquarters confirmed the killings, noting that the case had been escalated to security operatives in Ibadan for further investigation.
Residents of Oloka disclosed that the attackers had issued threats in the past, but many did not anticipate such a violent strike. According to one resident, the assault appeared to be carefully targeted, as no villagers were harmed and no abductions were reported.
“It seemed deliberate. Only the park rangers were attacked, and the community itself was not touched,” the resident said.
Chief Alagbe appealed to the government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security in the area to prevent further attacks. He also revealed that the suspected bandits were sighted again near the community on Wednesday morning but withdrew before causing any harm.
The killings have heightened fear in Oloka and surrounding areas, as residents call for increased security patrols and protection for communities bordering forest reserves.
